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performance of engine components, emission controls
and sensors, and the car computer itself, and
communicates its findings to the technician by means
of diagnostic trouble codes.
Do all vehicles require an emissions inspection?
No. Emissions system tests are not required for
current model-year vehicles, diesel-powered vehicles,
motorcycles and registered motor homes. Tests are
not required for any vehicles in counties not included
in the program, but all highway vehicles must have
annual safety inspections. (See map on reverse side.)
What happens if a car fails the emissions inspection?
If a car fails the test, the vehicle owner must attempt
to get the problem fixed. The federal Clean Air Act
requires manufacturers to provide an 8-year/80,000-
mile warranty on major emissions control equipment,
such as catalytic converters and OBD computers.
What if a car is unable to pass the test after repairs?
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide a
waiver if the owner has made a good-faith effort to
repair the problems and has met minimum
expenditure levels. To qualify for waivers, owners
must have spent at least $75 for model years 1976-
1980 and $200 for model years 1981 and newer.
Can a car fail if its emissions controls are working?
In some cases, cars may fail the test even though their
emissions controls are working. If there is an
outstanding recall or service bulletin on a car, it may
fail the test until the repairs are made. A car also
may fail the test if it has recently been repaired and it
hasn’t had time for the OBD system to reset all
readiness monitors. Some car models have OBD
systems that do not function properly, and the DMV
can issue waivers on a case-by-case basis.
The “check engine” light is lit on my dashboard.
Will my car pass the inspection if a mechanic “clears
the codes” to turn out the light?
No. By clearing the codes, the mechanic has also reset
the readiness monitors to “not ready” and your
vehicle will be rejected from testing. If your “check
engine” light is on, something is wrong with the car
and you should take it to a qualified technician for
diagnosis.
Why don’t we test cars older than 1996?
Vehicle emissions are related more to vehicle
maintenance than to vehicle age. Cars older than 1996
do not have OBD systems, and methods for testing
older vehicles are prohibitively expensive. By 2006,
about three-fourths of the state’s urban highway
emissions are expected to come from 1996 and newer
vehicles. However, the older cars are subject to an
annual visual inspection of their emissions control
devices. Smoking vehicles also can be cited by law
enforcement officers, or reported to the DAQ. To
report a smoking vehicle, go to this web address:
http://daq.state.nc.us/motor/
For More Information
Air Quality: N.C. Division of Air Quality, Mobile
Sources Branch, 919-733-1480,
http://daq.state.nc.us/motor/inspect/ or
www.ncair.org
Motor Vehicles: N.C. Department of Transportation,
Division of Motor Vehicles, 919-733-0133,
http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us/
Frequently Asked Questions
Why test auto emissions systems?
Cars and trucks are major air pollution sources,
despite controls that have dramatically reduced
vehicle emissions over the past two decades.
Collectively, highway vehicles account for about one-third
of the ozone-forming emissions across North
Carolina and up to 70 percent in urban areas. Tests
are needed to ensure that vehicle emissions controls
are working properly.
When are emissions inspections conducted?
Emissions systems are tested along with the annual
safety inspection required for most cars and trucks in
North Carolina. Your car should have a sticker in the
lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side
indicating what month the inspection is due.
How much does an emissions inspection cost?
The maximum annual fee for the motor vehicle
emissions test and safety inspection is $30, but
inspection stations can charge less.
Where does the inspection fee go?
Inspection stations receive most ($23.50) of the total
fee for the safety and emissions test. The remainder
of the fee ($6.50) goes to support various related state
programs, including oversight for emissions testing,
the highway trust fund, air quality, and emergency
and rescue squads. (See chart on reverse side.)
What vehicles must have emissions systems tested?
All gasoline-powered vehicles less than 25 years old
and registered in Cabarrus, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston,
Guilford, Mecklenburg, Orange, Union and Wake
must be tested through December 31, 2005. Vehicle
models 1996 and newer, excluding new vehicles that
have never been titled, must be tested using OBD
systems. The testing is being expanded to eventually
include 48 counties. (See map on reverse side.)
What is On Board Diagnostics (OBD)?
OBD is a system that assesses and monitors the
100,000 copies of this public document were printed on recycled paper at a cost of
$11,911.85 or $0.119 per copy.
DAQ 04-07-03.
North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Air Quality
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Michael F. Easley, Governor
Smokestacks
on
Wheels
Smokestacks
on
Wheels

performance of engine components, emission controls
and sensors, and the car computer itself, and
communicates its findings to the technician by means
of diagnostic trouble codes.
Do all vehicles require an emissions inspection?
No. Emissions system tests are not required for
current model-year vehicles, diesel-powered vehicles,
motorcycles and registered motor homes. Tests are
not required for any vehicles in counties not included
in the program, but all highway vehicles must have
annual safety inspections. (See map on reverse side.)
What happens if a car fails the emissions inspection?
If a car fails the test, the vehicle owner must attempt
to get the problem fixed. The federal Clean Air Act
requires manufacturers to provide an 8-year/80,000-
mile warranty on major emissions control equipment,
such as catalytic converters and OBD computers.
What if a car is unable to pass the test after repairs?
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide a
waiver if the owner has made a good-faith effort to
repair the problems and has met minimum
expenditure levels. To qualify for waivers, owners
must have spent at least $75 for model years 1976-
1980 and $200 for model years 1981 and newer.
Can a car fail if its emissions controls are working?
In some cases, cars may fail the test even though their
emissions controls are working. If there is an
outstanding recall or service bulletin on a car, it may
fail the test until the repairs are made. A car also
may fail the test if it has recently been repaired and it
hasn’t had time for the OBD system to reset all
readiness monitors. Some car models have OBD
systems that do not function properly, and the DMV
can issue waivers on a case-by-case basis.
The “check engine” light is lit on my dashboard.
Will my car pass the inspection if a mechanic “clears
the codes” to turn out the light?
No. By clearing the codes, the mechanic has also reset
the readiness monitors to “not ready” and your
vehicle will be rejected from testing. If your “check
engine” light is on, something is wrong with the car
and you should take it to a qualified technician for
diagnosis.
Why don’t we test cars older than 1996?
Vehicle emissions are related more to vehicle
maintenance than to vehicle age. Cars older than 1996
do not have OBD systems, and methods for testing
older vehicles are prohibitively expensive. By 2006,
about three-fourths of the state’s urban highway
emissions are expected to come from 1996 and newer
vehicles. However, the older cars are subject to an
annual visual inspection of their emissions control
devices. Smoking vehicles also can be cited by law
enforcement officers, or reported to the DAQ. To
report a smoking vehicle, go to this web address:
http://daq.state.nc.us/motor/
For More Information
Air Quality: N.C. Division of Air Quality, Mobile
Sources Branch, 919-733-1480,
http://daq.state.nc.us/motor/inspect/ or
www.ncair.org
Motor Vehicles: N.C. Department of Transportation,
Division of Motor Vehicles, 919-733-0133,
http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us/
Frequently Asked Questions
Why test auto emissions systems?
Cars and trucks are major air pollution sources,
despite controls that have dramatically reduced
vehicle emissions over the past two decades.
Collectively, highway vehicles account for about one-third
of the ozone-forming emissions across North
Carolina and up to 70 percent in urban areas. Tests
are needed to ensure that vehicle emissions controls
are working properly.
When are emissions inspections conducted?
Emissions systems are tested along with the annual
safety inspection required for most cars and trucks in
North Carolina. Your car should have a sticker in the
lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side
indicating what month the inspection is due.
How much does an emissions inspection cost?
The maximum annual fee for the motor vehicle
emissions test and safety inspection is $30, but
inspection stations can charge less.
Where does the inspection fee go?
Inspection stations receive most ($23.50) of the total
fee for the safety and emissions test. The remainder
of the fee ($6.50) goes to support various related state
programs, including oversight for emissions testing,
the highway trust fund, air quality, and emergency
and rescue squads. (See chart on reverse side.)
What vehicles must have emissions systems tested?
All gasoline-powered vehicles less than 25 years old
and registered in Cabarrus, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston,
Guilford, Mecklenburg, Orange, Union and Wake
must be tested through December 31, 2005. Vehicle
models 1996 and newer, excluding new vehicles that
have never been titled, must be tested using OBD
systems. The testing is being expanded to eventually
include 48 counties. (See map on reverse side.)
What is On Board Diagnostics (OBD)?
OBD is a system that assesses and monitors the
100,000 copies of this public document were printed on recycled paper at a cost of
$11,911.85 or $0.119 per copy.
DAQ 04-07-03.
North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Air Quality
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Michael F. Easley, Governor
Smokestacks
on
Wheels
Smokestacks
on
Wheels